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24 de març 2018

Catalan Speaker's speech (23 MAR 2018)

This is an English translation by Dr. M. McNaught of the Catalan Speaker's solemn Declaration in Parliament today, following the detention without bail of five Catalan MPs (two of which have resigned to ensure the pro.independence majority in Parliament).
Click here if need be to read the whole post
Source: https://www.ara.cat/politica/Torrent_0_1984001797.html

DECLARATION BY THE SPEAKER OF THE
PARLIAMENT OVER A UNITARY RESPONSE IN DEFENCE OF DEMOCRATIC
PRINCIPLES AND CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS

As Speaker of the Parliament of
Catalonia, accompanied by former presidents, MPs, former MPs and
representatives of civil society, all committed to the defence of
civil and political rights, I address the people of Catalonia over
the gravity of the political and democratic situation that our
country is enduring.

We are in a context of unprecedented democratic
involution. Recently, we have seen how fundamental
rights have been progressively eroded and violated. We have seen how
a referendum was pursued by police, and how the people who went to
vote were violently repressed.

Yesterday, the escalation of violations
of fundamental rights perpetrated by the institutions of the State
took a new leap, unacceptable to all democrats.

To criminalize legitimate political
ideas, and consider as crimes political actions characteristic of a
democracy is not justice, it's repression.

To imprison people for their political
ideas, and deny freedom to those who do not give up their legitimate
ideals, is to end ideological freedom.

They are actions that violate civil and
political rights that support the rule of law.

The unjust decisions taken yesterday by
the courts are one further step. A painfully forceful and definitive
step in the context of political repression and violation of
fundamental rights to citizens of this country.

What we suffered yesterday is an attack
at the heart of democracy.

Consequently, no-one can remain
indifferent to this attack. It affects all of us and all who love

We have political representatives in
prison and in exile. We have the Government of the Generalitat
intervened. And a Parliament harassed by the courts, which is not
allowed to freely develop its primary and essential functions,
including to choose the President of the Generalitat.

By ignoring the separation of powers,
attacking the political rights of the successive candidates, and with
them, the political rights of citizenship, they have not just forced us to
suspend a plenary or an investiture, they have suspended democracy.

Enough is enough.

Democracy has been suspended, and we
can only recover it through the firmness and the unity of all
democrats.

I do not propose rhetoric, I propose
dignity. I'm not asking for pity, I'm asking for responses. From now
on, I urge you to form a united front in the defense of democracy and
fundamental rights.

A front of all sectors of society,
based on respect for plurality.

An alliance of all democrats to demand
- and secure - the freedom of people persecuted for placing decisions
over the political future of this country in the citizens' hands. Because
their imprisonment is unjust. It is not necessary. It is indignant to
a democratic country. It is the mark of an authoritarian regime.

Carles, Oriol, Carme, Joaquim, Dolors,
Lluís, Raúl, Jordis, Meritxell, Josep, Toni, Marta, Anna. We
solemnly promise we will not rest until you're home. We will not
hesitate, we will not stop, we will not stop working until you are
free, with your families. We want you home and we will achieve this,
let there be no doubt.

This is not about flags, but universal
values. I therefore call on the democrats of Spain, of Europe, of
the entire world, to stand with us. To show their solidarity with
us, as we have so often defended peace and freedom.

The feelings of helplessness and
injustice are very strong. But the answer, now more than ever, must
be civic, peaceful, democratic and massive. And it must be political.
We put politics at the center. Now is the time for politics.

These are grave moments. But it is
precisely in these grave hours when we must prove our firmness, our
convictions, our commitment to people, democracy, and the country.

Let everyone today who endures the
darkness of this moment be sure that this country shall continue to
progress, in a dignified manner, with our heads held high.

Despite the severity of the attack we
have suffered, I want to convey a message of hope. I am convinced that
if we as a society and institutions act together, if we are
persistent, if we stand firm, if we persevere in the defense of
democratic principles, not only will we halt the impositions and
repression, but we shall be able to aspire - each with their legitimate political
options - to build a better, fairer and more free country.

Let's hold high the banner of dignity and
democracy. Let's unite to defend the civil and political rights of our people. Let's
build together a future of hope and freedom for everyone.